Chapter 12 The Trial

Dee awoke after a surprisingly restful sleep. She shook her head, stretched and wondered what exactly Elanee had put into her tea. Those druids and their herbs. Bishop mumbled something in his sleep and grabbed at her as she disentangled herself from the sheet and his grasp. She parted the thick, coarse curtains enough to see out and saw that Lathander had just kissed the eastern sky. Wrapping up in a towel, she grabbed her clothing which was lying over the back of the chair and pack stuffed with books and tiptoed out the door to the bath. She sent Cillian back to Meilikki's care; if she wasn't allowed to bring a weapon, she certainly couldn't bring a large brown bear to Castle Never.

After a quick bath she pulled her hair into a high braid and pinned it in a coil on the crown of her head, but a few wayward tendrils escaped. She slipped a feather soft silk chemise over her shoulders followed by the white robe, but she felt awkward and half dressed. Could she even fight in this get-up if she had to? At least it was roomy enough in the shoulders. She flexed anyway then tried a kick. It occurred to her that this was one reason women wore them slit high on the sides. Her stomach gave a nagging rumble, but Sand would have a hissy fit if she spilled something on the robe. Then again, it might be a long time before she got to eat, and she knew better than to go into a battle on an empty stomach. She grabbed her pack and headed to the common room.

Shandra came upon her in the hallway and gave her a hug. "You ready? How do you feel?"

Dee shrugged and held her arm out in front of her. "Oddly calm, see? Ready as I'm gonna be." She leaned closer and whispered, "I'm just afraid this isn't the best day for a white robe."

Shandra chuckled sympathetically. "Trust a man not to think of that. Just wear your summer Watch cloak over your robe."

Dee glanced back towards her room. "Yeah, good idea, but I don't want to wake Bish up. He might make me miss breakfast, or worse, make me late to my trial."

"You could just tell him 'no,' Dee. Don't worry, I'll go get it for you then," Shandra replied. "Shouldn't he getting up anyway if he's going with us? I'll make sure he's awake while I'm there." She actually intended to give the bed a hard kick and smiled evilly at the prospect as she turned away towards Dee's room. Dee continued to the lure of the smell of frying bacon from the common room.

Shandra quietly opened Dee's door, stepped inside, and grabbed the cloak hanging on a peg on the wall then turned towards the bed. Maybe she could just throw something at him. Where was a bucket of ice water when you needed one though?

Bishop stirred and sat up peering at her. "Dee? Come back to bed, wench! Oh, it's you," he said, disappointment clear in his voice. "Where's Dee? I wanted to relax her before the trial. "

Shandra rolled her eyes and took a step backwards towards the door. "Well she doesn't have time to relax. We're leaving right after she has breakfast, and you better get moving too if you're going with us."

Bishop leaned back against the headboard with his arms behind his head, which he knew showed off his chest to best advantage. He looked her over and drawled seductively, "I could help you relax then. Or better yet, why don't you come back with us tonight and help us celebrate after the trial. I've seen the way you look at Dee sometimes. Don't worry, I just want to watch. I won't touch you unless you want me to, but I'm thinkin' I could show you what you've been missing." He let the sheet fall aside to give her a sample.

Shandra took a deep breath and bit back the furious retort that sprang to mind for the sake of her friend, wishing that there was some way she could tell Dee without hurting her or distracting her from the trial. "Thanks Bishop, but I'll just have to stay tense." She bolted to the door. She would deal with it later, but she would tell her. She wouldn't be much of a friend otherwise. She'd get together with Neeshka later and come up with a plan.

"Yeah, run away, dyke. Ten inches is too much for you to handle I guess," Bishop shouted after her adding a cruel laugh as he got up and looked around on the floor for his clothes.

Shandra heard him as the door slammed behind her and snorted. "Ten inches...in his dreams."

Meanwhile, Khelgar grunted a barely intelligible greeting at Dee as she took a seat at his table between shoveling heaping spoonfuls of food into his mouth with one hand and picking at stray bits escaping into his beard with the other hand. Dee smiled wryly and considered how someone might think it was his last meal. Neeshka, bleary-eyed, waved with her tail as she sipped some tea, steadying the mug with both hands. More of Elanee's herbs, no doubt.

Duncan brought Dee over a bowl of barley porridge and raspberries and a plate of bacon and eggs, while Elanee brought her a steaming mug of tea. "Drink this, Dee. It will keep you sharp."

Dee raised an eyebrow at her as she took the mug. "Thanks, El. I'm not even going to ask what's in it, but I'll take your word for it." Elanee winked and sat across from her picking daintily at her berries and watching Dee eat. When she first learned that Elanee had been watching her since childhood, Dee thought it was rather creepy, but the more she thought about it, she realized that it was no different than some of the spying she was asked to do for the Harpers. Elanee was just spying for her circle. Neeshka called Elanee 'the stalker' behind her back for a while, but after Dee had time to think about it, she wondered if Elanee hadn't developed a sort of sisterly, or even maternal feeling towards her over the years. There certainly had been times when she felt someone was watching over her protectively when she was traipsing through the swamp. Dee thought wistfully that she would have welcomed Elanee's friendship if she had made herself known to Dee when she was a child. She would have made a pleasant foil to Daeghun's grim, dutiful parenting. It occurred to her that Daeghun might not have been so grim if Elanee had been around.

* * *

After Sand arrived they began a solemn procession to the castle. Only Grobnar was his usual animated self; nothing could faze him. Duncan had dressed in his best (which meant least stained) tunic, removed his apron, and left Sal in charge at the tavern to take his rightful place as her kinsman at the head of the procession. Even Qara came along though on any other day she wouldn't have been up for hours, and Dee wasn't sure if she was coming to cheer her on or to watch her fall. People on the streets grew silent as they passed, and a few pointed and whispered. Several Watchmen greeted her as she passed and wished her luck. Almost no one spoke except Dee and Sand, who took her arm and whispered last minute strategies, and Neeshka and Shandra, who hung back and whispered about other things. Bishop scowled as he followed behind Dee, making a mental note that the next thing he had to work on was isolating her from that pansy mage.

Casavir met them near the temple of Tyr looking exhausted yet serene, and Dee flushed as she realized he had indeed been up praying for her all night. Dee excused herself to Sand and walked up to Casavir, though she had caught Bishop's scowl and could feel him staring daggers into her back. She ignored him. His jealousy was becoming tiring...more than that, exhausting, and he wasn't going to tell her which friends she could have. She said softly, "I just wanted to thank you for your prayers, Cas. I feel more at peace this morning, and I think they're responsible."

He smiled shyly, his blue eyes moist, and replied, "Think nothing of it, m'lady. Your cause is just, and it was the least I could do. I regularly include you and our companions too in my daily prayers." He blushed and looked down.

She took his hand and squeezed it. This was the most she had been able to talk to him since that fight over Bishop; she had missed his wisdom and even more his dry humor. It seemed like he saved that facet of his personality for her, just as Grobnar saved his calm, thoughtful, rational side just for her too. "As do I, Cas, though I doubt my prayers are as fervent as yours. Could you do me a favor?"

He leaned closer and replied softly, "If it is in my power, m'lady, you need but ask."

She turned her head to meet his eyes and whispered, "I know you...dislike him, but it would be a burden off my mind if you included Bish in your prayers." She hesitated, then whispered with her voice faltering, "He's....faithless, Cas. I've tried to talk to him, but he just mocks me, so all that's left is to pray for him, and I think Tyr listens to you."

Casavir suppressed a sigh and replied, "I will do that for you and for him." He gave a silent prayer of thanks to Tyr. He hadn't understood how she could have chosen to be with someone like Bishop, but now he could see the gods hands in it. He had seen many people brought to faith through the devotion of a good man or woman.

* * *

The trial was to be held in the grand hall of Castle Never. Dee raised an eyebrow at the crowd as they entered. The galleries were already filling with spectators when they arrived, even though it was early yet. Bishop wasn't kidding about this being one of the social events of the season. Dee exchanged last-minute hugs with her friends, who went to find a seat. She and Sand were ushered in to the Grand Hall after their packs were searched, and guards with halberds crossed barred the door after them. Dee swallowed hard but strode in with her back straight and head held high. She unpacked her books and unrolled her notes and Sand did the same. With her hair up, the white robe and the spectacles and a table piled high with books and papers, Dee gave appeared to be more of a young scholar rather than an accused murderer. One would have thought she was one of Aldanon's research assistants.

Torio Claven and her retainers entered a few minutes later and took their place at their own table after being searched. Sand leaned over and hissed an aside loudly enough to be heard and provoke snickers in the first row, "Oh my, I certainly hope Torio has just come from turning tricks in the dockside alleys and that's not what passes for fashion in Luskan. And gods, with those shoes..." he shook his head and tsked sadly. "What was she thinking?" Dee barely suppressed a chuckle at the thought that it wouldn't have been so easy to convince Bishop Sand was gay if he didn't act like it. Not that she would ever tell him that.

Torio shot Sand an acidic glare then gave Dee that appraising look women usually reserve for romantic rivals. She sneered, muttered something that sounded like "the little viper with his pet ogress" then turned away and opened her own notes.

A tall, skinny herald entered and with a surprisingly loud voice that boomed around the chamber called the assembly to order. They all stood as a fanfare blared and Lord Nasher entered, followed closely by Sir Nevalle then his other retainers and guards. After he sat on his throne they all took their seats. Dee hardly heard the opening remarks from Torio as she looked again through the evidence they had found--the Quartermaster's log, the bit of skin from one of the victims, the signet ring, and the alteration powder. Most of it was circumstantial though. Torio didn't have much evidence other than Alaine, but Sand said a tearful eyewitness could overrule everything they had gathered and all Dee's character witnesses. The only time she and Sand had ever had harsh words between them had been when he suggested they try to use Alaine. Dee forced her face into a mask of gravity but smiled inside. They had Marcus; Sand had made sure the boy had arrived and had kept him sequestered at the temple of Tyr, and no one besides them and Prior Hlam knew it.

Sand presented their evidence, and the crowd murmured after he introduced each item. She leaned over and whispered, "That's good, right?"

Torio called Alaine as expected, but Dee was able to get her to admit during her cross-examination that the murderer might have been someone who was disguised to look like her, and admit further that none of Dee's companions was there--not one of the killers was an elf, a dwarf, a gnome, a tiefling, a paladin of Tyr, or a even a large bear. At least they were safe from Torio's accusations. Dee questioned her closely about the type of weapon the leader of the assassination squad used, and Alaine admitted the person used a great two-handed sword, not a long sword and short sword. Dee turned to Lord Nasher and asked evenly, "Is it plausible that I would leave the city with none of my companions to hire a dozen brigands somewhere? Why would I forgo my accustomed weapons and fighting style? Any warrior knows that makes no sense." She glanced around as she took her seat and noted that everyone who was trained to use a melee weapon murmured and nodded in agreement.

Torio grilled Shandra and tried to twist her words but couldn't make her crack. Then in a surprising move she called Dee to the stand. Dee raised an eyebrow at Sand, who shrugged. Torio smirked as she asked, "I only have one question. Why did you murder the village of Ember?"

Dee took a deep breath to control the urge to throttle her and asked, "Indeed, what possible reason would I have? However, I suppose I gave Luskan a good reason frame me for it, so I don't have to ask why you or your master murdered the village of Ember?"

Torio appeared unfazed and retorted, "Well then, can you account for your activities on the 23rd of Kythorn? Do you deny you left the city without your companions two days before that day?"

Dee gasped. She had known roughly when the murders took place, but hadn't made the connection between that and her holiday with Bishop. She answered, "I don't deny it at all, but I wasn't alone. I went camping with my man up by Galena Creek."

Torio asked in a sickeningly sweet tone, "Oh, your man? Don't you mean accomplice? And there were no witnesses, of course. I have it on good authority that you have been seen sneaking out your window several times for clandestine meetings with shadowy figures in dark alleys. Couldn't that have been when you hired your assassins?"

Dee was getting tired of the way this wench twisted everything she said. She kept her eyes on Sand who directed her with subtle gestures and movements. She knew they had been spying on her, but she never realized it had gone on for that long or to this extent with her none the wiser. There was nothing to do. "I can explain that." She sighed and reached into her belt pouch and withdrew her silver Harpers pin. She held it up high so everyone could see the distinctive harp shape before she continued. "I've been following the activities of your master Black Garius and the King of Shadows and passing on what I found. And Bish and I were quite alone on the 23rd of Kythorn except for the bear and the wolf. I expect you could get a druid to translate if you want to question them though. The whole point of leavin' the city was to get some privacy."

Torio scolded, "Oh I don't doubt that you needed privacy to carry out your heinous crime! You expect the court to believe that you were simply camping?"

Dee replied angrily, "We were! We're rangers, and there's only so much city livin' that we can stand. But we also needed to be alone...together. Gods woman, are you really that dense, or has it been so long since you've been with a man that you cared about that you don't remember what that's like? What do you think we were doing there?"

She could feel herself flushing to her ears, which wasn't helped by someone in the gallery calling out, "I sure know what I'd be doing with her." Bishop laughed and called out, "The 23rd of Kythorn? Hells, I don't think we even bothered getting dressed that day," which brought lewd laughter and a few slaps on the back from some of the men in the gallery seated near him, and an angry scowl from a skinny blonde with a long nose and narrow, fox-like eyes who had been sitting next to him and promptly got up in a huff. Dee looked her over and her heart sunk; she didn't even have to get near her to know she wore too much Darkest Desire. But she had other things to worry about now.

The lewd comments from some of the men was followed by the old Biddie chorus. One venerable matron chimed in with "Gracious, it sounds like they were on their honeymoon...except they didn't bother with the wedding, and she's going to have a hard time getting him to buy the cow now that he's had the milk for free," which brought more chuckles and nods of assent from others around her. Another one chirped sagely, "But how can you blame the lass with a fine strapping lad like that? They're young, and that's what young people do." Dee looked down, feeling a burning blush spreading to her ears and the roots of her hair. She wasn't overly modest, but having her sex life on public display was too much. A low murmur swelled around the room like a wave. Someone said, "Look at her face! Can you see those marks?" Someone else replied, "She must have Celestial blood. No wonder those Luskan devils want to destroy her!"

Dee put a hand up to her temple wishing there was a mirror in the hall and gave Sand a puzzled look. What had Ophala done to her? She could feel a tingling where Ophala had 'painted' her, and somehow blushing made it worse! Sand steepled his long delicate fingers under his chin and smiled mysteriously.

Lord Nasher finally called out in exasperation, "Silence, or I'll have the gallery cleared! I believe we all get the picture even if the Luskan ambassador does not. Let's get on with this!"

Dee gasped then said loudly, "My Lord! I just remembered, there is proof! Bishop shot a black headed elk while we were there. It's a rare breed that's found only in that range, and we had the head mounted when we got back on the 25th, the day I first heard about the accusation from Sir Nevalle. My Lord, the taxidermist can be called to verify this! There's no way we could have gotten all the way to Ember, then to Galeena Creek, and back to the city before the 25th." She looked at Torio and said crispy, " Now do you have any other ridiculous questions, or may I start my defense?"

Torio replied with a sneer, "No, though I suppose you could have teleported to Ember." She knew how this ridiculous supposition weakened her case though, so she finished with, "I reserve the right to call you again."

Dee stood and began reciting a short account of her arrival with the shard and her recruitment by Cormick, including her run-ins with the members of the Shadow cult. She glanced at the galleries and saw that many people were listening intently. She followed this with a longer account of the history of the relations between Neverwinter and Luskan, stopping to cite quotes from the books spread on her table and referring to her notes. Now more people looked bored, but she continued anyway. She was treading dangerous ground here because she didn't know if Lord Nasher would think she was accusing him of using her as a pawn in Neverwinter's continuous conflict with Luskan.

She called her witnesses--Nya the herbalist, Callum, then finally Marcus, the child seer from Ember. She could tell from Torio's smug look that she thought Dee and Sand had committed a fatal error in presenting their weakest witness last, but the look of terror on Torio's face as Marcus described her tenuous relationship with Black Garius was deeply disturbing, and anyone who saw her knew he spoke the truth. His testimony spawned more whispers in the gallery.

They rested their case, and Lord Nasher returned his verdict in less than half an hour. Dee wondered later if it really took him that long, or if he just made a show of deliberation. Innocent of all charges. Torio Claven and her associates to be expelled from the city. The gallery erupted in cheers and Dee was laughing and hugging Sand when she heard Torio exclaim, "I demand the right to trial by combat! Justice must be served!"

Dee broke away as Sand exclaimed, "That banshee! How did she know about that?"

"Didn't you know about it? I read about it in Gorrick's History of Neverwintan Justice," Dee replied frankly. "It's not used very often though."

Sand whispered, "Of course I knew about it. I told you I had a contingency plan, dear girl. I never would have guessed that she did, however. I can't imagine that she will try to take you on herself, so she probably has one of her henchmen picked out as her champion."

Dee paled as his words sunk in, and she wasn't at all surprised when I familiar voice shouted seconds later, "I will be her champion for the dead of Ember."

Sand's head snapped around to see the speaker, and he asked, "Who is that brute? Those facial tattoos mark him as belonging to a Luskan assassin squad."

Dee answered quietly without even looking, "His name is Lorne Starling. He's a Harborman too, and his little brother was my best friend. And from what the dryad in the Duskwood said, he's the real murderer." She barely heard Lord Nasher's instructions that they be taken to the temple of Tyr to begin a vigil with the duel taking place the next day at dawn.

Sand patted her hand. "Don't worry, my dear, you're allowed to choose a champion as well. I'm sure Casavir or Khelgar would gladly take your place."

Dee sighed. "I'm not worried. Not much, anyway. I'm just thinkin' about how I'm goin' to tell his ma. Let's get out of here so I can talk to Cormick about how he beat Lorne."

* * *

Shandra and Casavir were dispatched to the Flagon with Duncan to get her armor and swords while Dee talked to Cormick at the Watch office. "The silver longsword with the ebony handle, and the mithril short sword, the one Elanee blessed," she told them firmly. Other than this, she hardly spoke a word as she entered the temple accompanied by Sir Grayson and Sir Nevalle. She would have sent Bishop, but she was afraid he would have brought her duskwood bow and no swords at all. One of their more frequent arguments involved their fighting styles, with both considering the other's fighting style flawed. She could see the point of softening her opponents up first with arrows then finishing them off, especially now that she could see them before they were right on top of her, but this was tournament fighting, Lorne was faster than he looked, and she might not have time to switch weapons.

Prior Hlam gave her instructions then asked her friends to leave. "Go on, I'll be fine," she told them, and they filed out reluctantly. She was about to enter the meditation chamber when Khelgar burst in and began a long rant about the injustice and offered to fight in her place. Dee exchanged glances with Hlam as both realized he had met the last of the requirements to begin training as a monk. Dee whispered to Hlam, "I don't even think he realizes it, but if I'm not around, please see to it he starts his training."

She entered the chamber and sat on the cold stone floor before the statue of Tyr as Khelgar was ushered out, wondering what exactly she was supposed to get out of staying awake all night before taking part in a duel to the death. What was it Hlam said? Something about reflecting on one's deeds...achieving clarity to admitting one's guilt. She snorted. " Yeah, that's a good one. Like I'm the guilty one."

She was sitting there trying not to doze off in spite of the cold, hard slate floor when she heard someone enter the chamber. She knew at once it was Sand from the swish of his robes. It was surreal; he was almost jubilant about defeating Torio. Dee was about to mutter, "Yeah, excuse me if I don't share your joy" when he handed her a few potions to get her through. He squeezed her shoulder and mumbled something about no thanks needed, about the closest he came to a display of affection; she grabbed him in a bear hug by way of thanks, and he blushed and excused himself.

The evening wore on with no other visitors, and she had resigned herself to Bishop not coming at all and had dozed off again when she heard a familiar voice behind her say, "It's just a statue, you know. Tyr isn't watching this, but I am."

She jerked upright as Bishop came up and dropped to his haunches behind her. He slipped his arms around her and kissed her neck. Dee turned her head and said, "I was beginning to wonder if you were coming."

He pulled her into a deep kiss then broke off and looked around. "I don't suppose there's a room we can use, sweetheart?"

She chuckled. "Here? The only private place is the privy, and I'm not doing it in there! Besides, I've heard a couple of acolytes are checking on me every so often. So is this your way of comforting me, or are you here to offer to fight in my place too?"

He snorted, and there was something in his eyes that unnerved her before he hastily looked away. He covered with his usual sarcasm, "I wouldn't insult you like that. If you need comfort, you're weaker than I thought. I came to give you advice on dealing with Lorne tomorrow."

She replied as she leaned back against him, "Thanks. I'm listening. What do you think of my chances?"

Karnwyr came up on the other side of her and lay his head in her lap so she could stroke his head. Bishop leaned so close she could feel his breath on her ear as he spoke. "Your chances? Not much. I don't think you're going to make it."

She turned her head to look directly into his amber eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Bish, though I plan to live to prove you wrong."

He looked away and gazed at the floor. "I don't want to get bored tomorrow, sweetheart, so listen up. I've been watching Lorne all evening. He's barely keeping it together at the best of times. I could tell he wanted to fight you right then and there, which is not the sign of someone in control. He's a melee fighter, too much in love with that falchion of his too much to fight smart, so you'll have to keep your distance and wear him down."

She stroked Karnwyr's fur even as she bristled at the veiled insult. "Good thing I don't fight smart either then. I know all about his fighting style and his bad temper from Cormick. In truth, I could tell you stories about his temper. Anything else?"

He continued to look around at anything but her eyes. What did she want from him? He could get himself killed for her, and would she appreciate it? He bet that within a month she would be sharing someone else's bed. "He doesn't like to be weighed down with armor either. He fancies himself a barbarian."

She chuckled darkly and gestured at her studded leather armor lying in a bag next to the door. "Unlike us?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, point taken. Just keep hitting him and hitting him, and at some point he'll go berserk, and that's when you can get him. Just don't get weak and show him any mercy. He's not going to spare you, not after all Luskan went through to get you."

She sighed. "Thanks, Bish. Anything else you want to say to me? Any last words?"

He swallowed trying to lubricate his throat. What did she expect? Honeyed words? That wasn't his style. This was her fight. She's the squire, the do-gooder. This fight wasn't his style either. His chest felt tight, and he took a deep breath. He wanted to see that Luskan pig dead. He just didn't want to get killed trying to take him out. His internal struggle went on for a few minutes until he said curtly, "I might do it, and I might not. Ask me before the fight, and if so, I'll step in."

She slipped her arms around him and gave him a final soft kiss then held his face in her hands to force him to look at her. "If you don't kill Lorne, and..." she was thinking "and he kills you." She didn't say it, but the words hung unspoken in the air between them. "I'll hang anyway. I appreciate the offer though, and if I change my mind, I'll send you word in the morning. Goodbye, Bish."

He gave her another kiss secretly feeling relieved. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn't send for him. She had that look of grim determination in her eyes. "Try to get some sleep, sweetheart. Don't stay up all night talking to the statue. No one's listening."

She scoffed as he padded out with Karnwyr following. "According to you." She turned to face the statue so she wouldn't have to watch him leave. She closed her eyes and tried to pray but immediately stopped. Was it sacrilege praying to Meilikki in Tyr's house? Would he strike her down or would he understand and forgive her? She sighed deeply and summoned Cillian. Something about having that bear around made it easier to think.

He lay beside her and she buried her face in his fur. "Oh Cill, this isn't fair. Why did the gods lay this on me? I don't know if I'm strong enough."

Cillian chuffed and nuzzled her.

"I know, love. I'm glad you're here for the fight in the morning. Don't attack him, just keep him off me if he hits me hard until I can drink a potion. But don't get yourself hurt protecting me. He's my prey."

She gazed up at the statue. What was it Prior Hlam had said? She had only half listened to his words. 'Gaze upon the face of Tyr, and let him gaze upon you.' She stared at the statue until her eyes watered. There was something else, about not fearing his judgment if she was true to her words and deeds. Well, she had been true. Her words to Sand came back to haunt her then--"Anything you can do to tip the odds is fine by me." But all he had done was give her a couple of potions, so what was false in that...besides her attitude. She sighed. It was his house. Surely Mielikki would understand her calling on him.

She closed her eyes and asked, "Why is this happening to me, Lord Tyr? I've tried to do what's right. I'm just a girl from West Harbor. I didn't ask for any of this." Where was the justice for her? Her mother taken from her when she was so young, her loveless childhood... she stopped, disgusted with herself and wiped away an angry tear. But it was true, all of it, even if she was whining. 'Let him gaze upon you...' She took a few deep breaths, stilled her mind, and gazed upon the statue. After a few minutes of meditation, she grew impatient, stood up and stalked back and forth across the chamber with Cillian on her heels. What was the point of sitting here all night when she had a fight to the death in the morning? What was the point of any of it?

Dee sighed and sank to her knees. She reflected on her life. She had tried to be fair...except when it came to orcs. But they were filthy beasts who brought nothing but death and destruction in their wake. They came upon those wounded and dying orcs in their lair that day she met Casavir, and she wouldn't have hesitated to finish them all except he stayed her hand. But was that really being merciful? To him it was, but she would have given them a quick death to put them out of their misery.

And Casavir. He would gladly lay his life down for her. All he had done was offer friendship, with the hope of more. He was so shy, painfully so, and she should have seen it sooner. He had been harsh in his words, but he spoke the truth. He called it a tryst, and more and more in a thousand tiny ways it became clear that it was just a tryst with Bishop, at least on his part. He only showed his feelings for her when he thought she was talking to some other male for too long, and gods forbid if she laughed while they were talking. And because Casavir spoke a truth she didn't want to hear, and because he was too shy to speak the truth of his feelings for her, she scorned him and mocked him behind his back. True, some of the others did too, but they followed her lead. She had been no friend to him and had treated him shamefully.

There was an image of an argument with Qara last week that came unbidden into her mind. But she had tried with Qara, she really had. Hadn't she? In truth, she offered her nothing much more than terse civility at the best of times. But she's a spoiled brat who cares little for ensuring her companions are out of range before hitting them with her fire spells, Dee argued. She almost burned down the tavern showing off her power and wasn't at all sorry about it. But Dee knew she also had lost her mother young and her father had been cold and distant, caring more for his books and his academy than for his daughter; they had that in common, and it should have created a bond between them. Wasn't it possible that she was a child who was given everything she needed or wanted except her father's love? Wasn't that a reason to extend her more friendship, more kindness, and more mercy, not less?

In truth, wasn't her protestations of righteousness simply self-righteousness? When she thought about it, there had been so many things she had done...her half-assed plan to kill Torio chief amongst them. Even Daeghun ...what did he owe her? Yeah, he had a duty borne of friendship to Esmerelle, but there were other ways he could have discharged it so he could disappear and let the swamp swallow his grief. She could have been turned over to an temple orphanage like Neeshka, or handed off to one of the farm families in West Harbor. And could she blame him for his coldness? Could it be he didn't know how to be a father or that he honestly didn't understand humans? His beloved wife was dead because of her. What comfort had Dee ever offered him?

And there was so much blood on her hands. How many times had she been quick to draw her swords and let them do the talking for her? She thought of the many fights she had making arrests for the Watch. But she always gave them the option to surrender. In truth, at times she hoped they would resist arrest. And how often were her actions dictated by how much mead she had drunk before she set out on patrol? Gods, what kind of a monster was she? How was she any different than Lorne? Burning tears came streaming down her cheeks, followed by loud sobs that wracked her body. Within minutes, Prior Hlam had been informed by one of the acolytes who checked on her from time to time, and despite the presence of the bear standing beside her nuzzling her, he knelt beside her with his arm around her. He held her protectively and let her cry until the sobs subsided enough for her to talk.

One of the acolytes entered eyeing the bear nervously and brought her a cup of water and a soft, damp cloth. Prior Hlam wiped her face like she was a child, held the cup for her to sip the water, then asked patiently, "Tell me what this is about, my child. I know you're not guilty of the crime you were accused of, but something is weighing heavy on you. Tyr is listening, as am I."

She gasped between sobs, "It's not just a statue."

He smiled and whispered gently, "No my child, that's a statue but Tyr is very real, and I sense that he has touched you."

She turned to look in his one good eye and said softly, "I'm innocent of that which I'm accused...but guilty of so much hate and wrath and...selfishness. Mercy and compassion are strangers to me...unless it suits my purpose. I'm no different than Lorne. I wonder that Tyr can stand to look on me."

He rubbed her back and replied softly, "My child, who among us isn't guilty of many of the things you accuse yourself of? Lord Tyr sees, he calls you to follow him, and he forgives if your heart is sincere and you truly wish to follow the path of justice. I believe he has given you a warning that you could turn down the same path that the Luskan has taken." He took his symbol of Tyr from around his neck and placed it around hers.

She held it up and looked at it. "But I follow Meilikki. Can I follow Tyr too?"

He smiled and replied, "Tyr would never expect you to abandon your faith, my child. He would only supplement it. Now come along, a room has been reserved for you. You should try to get some sleep."

Dee got to her feet shakily. "You mean I'm allowed to sleep?"

He laughed and replied, "What justice would there be in making you face this challenge without any rest? I just waited for your young man to leave before I told you so you would get some rest."

* * *

The fight seemed like a dream. Dee strode in with her head held high followed by Cillian and nodded to her friends in the stands. Neeshka and Shandra looked like they were doing their best to comfort Duncan, who was beside himself with grief. Khelgar raised his ax hopefully, but she shook her head. Casavir met her eyes, and she smiled and shook her head at him as well. He hadn't offered, but she knew she had only to ask and he would take her place. She scanned the huge crowd and finally found the chestnut hair she was looking for. Bishop looked grim but nervous too as he met her eyes. She shook her head and continued on, turning away before she would have to see the look of relief she knew was on his face. He was afraid, but he had a right to be, and if she was going to be with him, it meant accepting him for who he was.

She quickly drained the 'Haste' potion Sand had made her and tucked the 'Heal' potion into her belt but decided against the invisibility potion. She walked forward with Cillian to face Lorne in the center of the arena before Lord Nasher while he announced the terms of the duel. She was sorely tempted to mock Lorne, who glared down at her; the thoughts came easily to her mind, to mock his tattoos, ask if he shaved his head to hide his receding hairline, ask if he was compensating for something with that huge falchion, it was too easy. But in the end all she said was, "Your poor mother, Lorne. She would be so ashamed if she knew what you were doing." That only served to enrage him and as he ranted about carving his name into her flesh while she still lived and all the other things he was going to do to her, she assessed his armor and weapons. Bishop was right; he was arrogant enough to think he didn't need much armor. He was wearing a wolf hide, but it was obviously worn more for style than for protection. That falchion was a wicked thing though. She could sense the evil radiating from it.

As they turned to return to their own end of the arena, the light of the sun coming over the edge of the arena wall struck Lorne's falchion and glinted across his neck. It couldn't be that easy. Dee whispered, "Thank you Tyr, and thank you Meilikki for understanding." She stood her ground as he turned and charged, and when he was nearly upon her, she charged too. When they came together, she sprang up and bounced against his right thigh for leverage. She blocked the swing of his falchion with her long sword as her left arm slipped under her right and slashed into his neck. She bounced off him and landed lightly and dodged to the side but felt his falchion deliver a glancing down her back. He was fast! She got him good though, judging from the blood flowing from his wound. It was a matter of wearing him down until he could feel it. She ran around the arena dodging his furious swings and curses until she felt him slowing then spun and hit him across his midsection.

Lorne dropped to one knee, but he remained arrogant even as he yielded. "You think you've won. Black Garius will come after you..." She didn't listen to the rest. She wanted to slaughter him like the pig he was. Dee's mind screamed, "Get up and fight, you coward." However, she surprised herself as much as everyone who knew her when she turned to Lord Nasher and announced, "The law has been served and justice delivered for the people of Ember." She whispered to Lorne, "I won't give you a quick, easy death," and turned her back on him and walked away even as Lord Nasher proclaimed her the victor. Cillian stared after her, puzzled at her leaving herself vulnerable, then he turned and watched Lorne until Dee was safely across the arena before he followed.

* * *

Dee knelt beside the chests delivered to the Flagon by Lord Nasher and examined the items inside. She waved off the mug of mead Neeshka brought her. The Luskan ambassadors had been sent packing, and Lord Nasher had demanded Lorne's falchion and an enchanted belt he wore as tribute for his being allowed to live. These had been delivered to Dee, along with an amulet from Nasher and a good quantity of gold. She divided the gold into piles for each of her companions equally, setting aside Khelgar's share with Duncan for when he returned from his training at the temple of Tyr, and included extra shares for Sand, who she now considered one of them, her uncle for putting up with them all, and another for the poorbox at the temple of Tyr. She ignored Bishop's snort of derision as she announced that.

Only Casavir refused his share. "I must live up to the example our leader has set for us and donate mine as well."

Bishop muttered "You're a fool then," and stalked to the bar with his share.

Dee handed Casavir the amulet. "Take this amulet. It enables the wearer to see through illusions, though I suppose some would say I should use it myself."

He took it from her and replied quietly, "Thank you, m'lady, though I believe you have less need of it lately."

Lorne's belt, which gave the wearer the strength of a giant, she kept for herself. She touched the falchion; it positively radiated evil, and she recoiled from the foul thing. She asked quietly, "Neesh, I need to sell this, and I don't want to burden Sand with it. Can you take it to Deekin? I need it to be sold as soon as possible."

Neshka swayed over and and picked it up. "Sure, Dee, but why the rush? Why don't you take a couple of days off and go camping again? You've earned it."

"I need the coin," Dee said grimly. "I'm leavin' for West Harbor at first light to give whatever I can get for it to Lorne's mother along with my share of Nasher's gold. I don't want her to hear what's become of him from anyone else."